Hat sizer



M r h 4, 1953 .J. w. PATTERSON, JR

HAT SIZER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 19, 1950 mvsm'on John Z0,Paifezzson J ATTORNEYS March 24, 1953 J. w. PATTERSON, JR

HAT SIZER 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed May 19, 1950 R O T N E V m H John Z27.Paiferson J1- ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 24, 1953 EJNHTED STATES PATENTOFFICE HAT SIZER John W. Patterson, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.

Application June 19, 1950, Serial No. 168,908

Claims.

This invention is directed to, and it is a major object to provide, ahat band construction which automatically adjusts to the head size ofthe wearer; i. e. compensates effectively for variation in head sizesintermediate regular hat sizes, whereby to afford ease of fittin andgreat comfort to the wearer.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an automatic hatsizer which comprises a novel resilient and compressible assemblybetween the inner leather band and adjacent portion of the crown of thehat; such leather band being arranged to expand in circumference topermit the effective size of the hat to increase under conditions ofhead pressure on said band and resilient assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic hat sizer,as above, wherein the resilient and compressible assembly includes-inone embodiment-an elongated cushion, of double-ended, wedge-like form,of foam rubber or the like secured in a novel manner between the innerband and crown, andin another embodimerit-includes a novel springarrangement.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automatic hatsizer which does not alter the appearance of a hat, or make anysubstantial increase in weight; the hat sizer being a compact assemblypreferably disposed in the rear portion of the hat between the innerband and crown.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a hat sizer which isdesigned for ease and economy of manufacture, and being adaptable topresent type hats, with a minimum of alteration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliablehat sizer, and yet one which will be exceedingly efiective for thepurpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hat, partially broken away, embodyingthe present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view, partly in section, of thehat sizer, with the parts, including the inner head band, in theirinitial positions.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, but shows the hat sizer as compressed wherebyto increase the circumference of the inner head band, and consequentlyenlarge the hat size.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 correspond to Figs. 1, 2, and

2 3, but illustrate a modification of the inner head band.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, and at present to Figs. 1-3 inclusive, the novel hat sizer ishere shown as embodied in a hat I of generally conventionalconstruction, including a crown 2, a brim 3, and an inner head band ofleather or the like.

The inner head band 4 is in engagement with, and directly stitched to,the adjacent portion of the crown 2, as at 5, only about the forwardpart of the hat; substantially the rear half of the inner band 5 beinginitially separate from the crown 2, and spaced therefrom.

The numeral 6 indicates an elongated cushion strip of double-ended,wedge-like form disposed between the inner head band 4 and adjacentportion of the crown 2 about the rear part of the hat; said elongatedcushion 6 being of foam rubber or the like, andfrom the center rearpoint, which is relatively thicktapering lengthwise towards oppositeends. The forward ends of the elongated cushion B terminate or run outadjacent, but short of, the corresponding ends of the line of stitching5.

The elongated cushion B is preferably of constant height throughout, andis permanently affixed between the inner head band 4 and adjacentportion of the crown 2, near the bottom thereof, by a line of suitablestitching I; each stitch being relatively large and formed with a crossthread 8 through the cushion crown and band 4. v

The inner head band 4 is vertically split at the rear central point, asat 9, for the purpose of permitting circumferential expansion of saidband.

The elongated cushion 6 is formed, on its outer face, with a relativelystiff facing F affixed thereto, as by cementing or vulcanization; thepurpose of the relatively stiff facing F being to prevent any distortionor deformation of the adjacent portion of the crown 2 upon compressionof said cushion 6.

The elongated cushion 6 and the adjacent attached portions of the headband 4 provide a resilient and compressible assembly which functions asfollows to provide automatic hat sizing:

Upon the hat being placed upon the head of a wearer, the inner head bandl5 adjusts in circumference by reason of the split 9, the startingposition of the hat band being shown in Fig. 2. The split 9 gaps to theextent necessary, as at It, by reason of the compression when the hat isapplied to the head, of the elongated cushion 6.

When the cushion is not compressed, as in Fig. 2, the cross threads 8lie at substantially a right angle to said cushion. However, when thecushion is compressed, as in Fig. 3, the cross threads 8 slack anddiagonal in the direction of movement of the corresponding portion ofthe inner head band 4 as it expands, whereby to not restrict suchexpansion.

The cushion 6 is of double-ended, wedge-like form, as hereinbeforedescribed, to the end that maximum adjustment is accomplished mainly atthe rear of the hat, with such adjustment being progressively lesstoward opposite sides of said hat.

The arrangement is such that the hat sizer provides automatic variationin the circumference of the inner head band 4 without in the leastinconveniencing the wearer, and without any detraction from fullcomfort; the hat sizer not altering the appearance of the hat, and beinga simple but effective addition thereto.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the hat sizer is of the same construction as inFigs. 1-3, inclusive, including an elongated, double-ended, wedge-likecushion I 1 between the inner head band l2 and adjacent portion of thecrown IS; the cushion being secured to and between said parts bystitching [4. Here, however, the inner head band I2 is formed, at itsrear central point, with a vertically corrugated section l5. section I5of the inner head band [2 permits said band to expand or elongate incircumference, upon compression of the elongated cushion H, both to theend that the effective hat size be increased. The head band or sweatband [2 may be split, with the split ends sewed together as usual, atany point in its extent. The stitching 14 does not extend along andthrough the corrugated section (5 of band i2, so as not to interf erewith the expansion or contraction of said corrugated section [5.

The corrugated central section l5 of the inner head band [2 is initiallyas shown in Fig. 5 (the corrugations here being shown accentuated orenlarged for clarity), but when the elongated cushion H is compressedfor the purpose of increasing head size, the corrugated central sectionI5 is expanded, as in Fig. 6.

In order that the corrugated central section l5 return to its initialposition, as in Fig. 5, upon the elongated cushion I l expanding, saidsection I5 is backed by an elastic strip backing is which extends acrossthe section E5 between the adjacent non-corrugated portions of the headband l2. The elastic strip backing I6 is under tension when the section[5 is expanded, as in Fig. 6, and when the hat is being worn.Thereafter, when the hat is removed from the head the clastic stripbacking l6 contracts the corrugated section l5 simultaneously withexpansion of the elongated cushion l I. Thus, the inner head band (2 ismaintained against wrinkling or other deformation.

The described hat sizer, in its several embodiments, provides apractical and reliable hat structure for accommodating a hat,automatically, to the head of a wearer, while maintaining comfort andappearance.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there hasbeen produced such a hat sizer as substantially fulfills the objects ofthe invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device, still in practice such deviations from suchdetail The corrugated central may be resorted to as do not form adeparture from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new anduseful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising a resilient andcompressible strip between the inner head band and crown about asubstantial circumferential portion thereof, the head band having avertically corrugated section formed therein and disposed adjacent toand intermediate the ends of the strip, and means securing the strip inplace without restricting circumferential elongation of the head band.

2. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising a resilient andcompressible strip between the inner head band and crown about asubstantial circumferential portion thereof, the head band including avertically corrugated section disposed adjacent to and intermediate theends of the strip, and means securing the strip in place withoutrestricting circumferential elongation of the head band; there being anelastic tension strip backing the corrugated section of the band andconnected to the adjacent uncorrugated parts of said band.

3. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, a comprising an elongated cushion,of resilient and compressible material, disposed between the inner headband and crown at one end and adjacent sides of the crown, a portion ofthe inner head band, adjacent to and intermediate the ends of thecushion, being arranged for circumferential elongation, and meanssecuring the cushion to the crown and band without restricting suchcircumferential elongation of the latter attendant compression of thecushion; said securing means being stitching joining the crown, cushionand band and securing the cushion in place without restricting thecircumferential elongation of said band, and the stitches beingrelatively large with cross threads which extend through the cushion atnormally a substantially right angle.

4. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising an elongated cushion, ofresilient and compressible material, disposed between the inner headband and crown at one end and adjacent sides of the crown, said cushionbeing double-ended and wedge-like in opposite directiOns from a centralpoint, a portion of the inner head band, adjacent to and intermediatethe ends of the cushion, being arranged for circumferential elongation,and stitching between the crown and band through the cushion to securethe latter in place.

5. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes va crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising an elongated cushion, ofresilient and compressible material, positioned between the inner headband and crown at one end and adjacent sides of the crown, said cushionbeing double-ended and wedge-like in opposite directions from a centralpoint, the inner head band being split vertically adjacent said pointfor circumferential elongation of the band, and stitching extending oneither side of said split securing the cushion in said position in thehat.

6. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising an elongated cushion, ofresilient and compressible material, positioned between the inner headband and crown at one end and adjacent sides of the crown, said cushionbeing double-ended and wedge-like in opposite directions from a centralpoint, the inner head band having a vertically corrugated sectionadjacent said point, and stitching extending on either side of saidcorrugated section securing the cushion in said position in the hat.

7. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising an elongated cushion, ofresilient and compressible material, positioned between the inner headband and crown at one end and adjacent sides of the crown, said cushionbeing double-ended and wedge-like in opposite directions from a centralpoint, the inner head band having a vertically corrugated sectionadjacent said point, and stitching extending on either side of saidcorrugated section securing the cushion in said position in the hat;there being an elastic tension strip backing the corrugated section ofthe band and connected to the adjacent uncorrugated parts of said band.

8. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown, comprising a strip of resilient andcompressible material disposed between the inner head band and crown atone end portion thereof, the inner head band having a verticallycorrugated section at said end portion, and means securing the strip tothe hat and to the noncorrugated portion of the band so as not torestrict circumferential expansion of said vertically corrugated sectionof the inner head band.

9. An automatic sizer, for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown; said sizer comprising, inconjunction with the inner head band and crown, a relatively shortvertically corrugated portion formed in the band, a compressible stripsecured in the hat and disposed back of said corrugated portion, andmeans securing the strip to the band beyond the ends of said corrugatedportion.

10. An automatic sizer for a hat which includes a crown and an innerhead band secured within the crown; the sizer comprising a resilient andcompressible strip between the inner head band and the crown about asubstantial circumferential portion thereof, a Vertically corrugatedsection formed in the inner head band adjacent to and extending alongthe strip, and mean securing the strip in place without restrictingcircumferential elongation of the inner head band.

JOHN W. PATTERSON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 662,645 Halbert Nov. 27, 19001,351,893 Curtis Sept. 7, 1920 1,593,524 Axelsen July 20, 1926 1,715,201Levin May 28, 1929 2,105,980 Margulies et al Jan. 18, 1938 2,338,871Roberts Jan. 11, 1944 2,348,615 Doering May 9, 1944 2,406,701 MillerAug. 27, 1946

